The Shrine of Our Lady of Aguasantas
OUR LADY OF AGUASANTAS
The image of Our Lady of Aguasantas, which appeared miraculously in the municipality of Cotobade, where she is the patron saint, has been the focus of profound and enduring religious devotion. This reverence has left an enduring imprint on the history of the region, as demonstrated by the numerous accounts of the cherished and well-attended novena in her honour, along with its enduring impact on the vibrant Galician folklore.
DEVOTION
"There is not a household in the parish without a novena book dedicated to her, and there is not a young or elderly person who doesn't carry a prayer card featuring her venerated image, whether in their wallet or displayed in their home. They entrust themselves to her, whether near or far, be it in Spain, Europe, or the Americas, for in all these places, there are children of Aguasantas."- Solla García, Andrés María (1872). Resumen Histórico del Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Aguasantas en Cotobade y Novena a la Santísima Virgen.
The Tale:
"God is the wellspring of health and gazes upon you with mercy, bestowing these waters with the power to heal your affliction."
1888
Our Lady of Aguasantas has been the object of devotion for generations. Its origins trace back to the Middle Ages, as documented by Andrés María Solla García, known as "Padre Solla," in his work "Resumen Histórico del Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Aguasantas en Cotobade y Novena a la Santísima Virgen" (Historical Summary of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aguasantas in Cotobade and Novena to the Blessed Virgin), published in Santiago in 1872:
“"In accordance with this time-honoured tradition, there existed no places of worship in those lands except the monastery of Tenorio and the church of Santiago de Caroy. It was to these that the inhabitants of Cotovad and Montes customarily made their way. Notably, in the vicinity of Boliñas, which lies approximately two hundred metres from the present site of the Aguasantas church, resided a blind lady deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin. On a Sunday morning, in the early hours, she would venture forth from her dwelling, guided by another's hand, to attend the customary Mass at the aforementioned church of Caroy. As she traversed the vicinity now occupied by the church of Aguasantas, she was met with the sound of flowing water. A notion seized her, and she resolved to cleanse herself in the spring's waters. She ordered to be brought closer to it, and the moment the miraculous water touched her veiled eyes, [...] she was bestowed with an instant and unforeseen restoration of her sight. In amazement and gratitude for this extraordinary and unexpected miracle, she was persuaded by her profound faith that this wondrous spring, emerging through thickets of weeds and brambles, concealed a heavenly treasure.
Moved by her unwavering belief, [...] she followed the course of these waters deep into the underbrush, where her eyes beheld a most beautiful and devout image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She instinctively knelt to adore this sacred image with an effusion of gratitude. Her amazement only increased when the sacred image itself, in words filled with tenderness and gentleness, deigned to reveal to her the divine will that a sanctuary should be established and venerated on this very site. She was to make this miracle, witnessed through her intercession, widely known for its profound significance. [...] News of the apparition of the sacred image, complete with all its circumstances, spread rapidly throughout the surrounding regions. The populace flocked en masse to the location of this miracle, eager to present rustic offerings, pay homage with their pure hearts, and venerate the Queen of the Angels. The rocky terrain leading to these waters served as her throne, and the bramble boughs were her royal palace. [...] From that moment onwards, the waters that flowed forth from this thicket and gushed at the feet of the sacred image became renowned for their healing properties. [...] In light of this, they were henceforth christened 'Aguas-santas' and bestowed a name upon the entire locale."
After the miracle's celebration had spread among the local population, the Benedictine monastery of San Pedro de Tenorio took an active role in fostering the construction of a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, collaborating with the nearby residents of the region in this endeavor.
DEPICTIONS OF OUR LADY
The image of Our Lady of Aguasantas, venerated for countless generations, is a candlestick carving made of chestnut wood, meticulously polychromed and, standing at one metre and twenty-five centimetres in height. This sacred figure, as described in "Resumen Histórico del Santuario de Nuestra Señora de Aguasantas en Cotobade y Novena a la Santísima Virgen" by Fray Andrés María Solla García, holds a delicate bouquet of lilies in her right hand, while in her left arm cradles the Infant Jesus. The Child Jesus, in turn, clutches the representation of the world in his left hand and a small bird in his right.
The Virgin's serene countenance, with a subtle hint of a smile, is gracefully framed by a splendid silver chiselled rostrum. As the Queen of Heaven and Earth, she dons a regal crown, and on special occasions, she wears her imperial gold crown adorned with a halo of twelve stars. The head of the Child Jesus, likewise, is adorned with a royal crown.
The Virgin's attire is rich and diverse, changing with the seasons.
Typically, she wears a gown accentuated by a golden belt, embellished with several medals, and drapes herself in a long cloak embroidered with gold and precious stones. Photographs showcasing the Virgin in her various outfits can be found in our Photo Gallery. Click here.
Although the current image of the Virgin is not the original, as the previous one tragically succumbed to a fire in 1926, its head remains intact. The remnants of the former image are carefully preserved within the bust of the current statue, ensuring that its essence continues to resonate with the faithful at all times.
ul at all times.
1872
1918
1930
1969
THE PILGRIMAGE
From time immemorial, and it is safe to assume that since the apparition of the Blessed Virgin herself, devotion to Our Lady of Aguasantas has been deeply rooted in the country and has spread to distant lands, remaining unwavering despite the passage of centuries and the challenges of time. People invoke her in times of affliction, sorrow, bitterness, tribulation, disaster, and danger that may befall their loved ones. Tradition has preserved accounts of miraculous healings, timely assistance in seemingly insurmountable dangers, and relief in various fatal accidents where the protection of the Blessed Virgin of Aguasantas was clearly felt when earnestly invoked from the heart.
Additionally, those who prayed the novena of Our Lady were granted 100 days of indulgence, and those who visited the shrine on its main feast day, 8th September, received 10 years of indulgence.
Padre Solla, in his "Resumen Histórico", mentioned a rather spacious house adjacent to the sanctuary's atrium. It was intended to accommodate travelers from distant places who intended to stay for the duration of the novena. Those who either lacked resources or sought greater seclusion found a suitable place here. This house had separate sections for men and women and was commonly known as the "Casa de las Novenas".
RELIGIOUS FESTIVITY
Historically, pilgrimages to the shrine were observed with varying levels of attendance throughout the year. Still, on the eve and on the day of the main feast day, they surpassed any comparison. This feast, initially celebrated on the last Saturday in August or extended over three days until 1693, was later moved to 8th September, coinciding with the Church's commemoration of the Virgin's birth. If we consider the preceding novena, it can be inferred that the celebration lasted for 11 days.
During this period, popular devotion to the shrine reached its peak. From 30th August to 8th September, every day was a public holiday, and the faithful attended the two daily solemn masses and processions at the shrine.
The recitation of the Holy Rosary, starting from the Chapel of San José de Penelas, located over a kilometer from the sanctuary, culminated with the novena to the Virgin and a Eucharistic ceremony.
These events attracted not only local residents but also numerous pilgrims who, fulfilling promises and expressing gratitude for blessings received from the Virgin, endured discomforts such as sleeping on the ground to attend the entire novena.
Today, the festival retains its religious fervor and visual spectacle. Celebrated on 6th, 7th, and 8th September, with the latter being the most significant, as it commemorates the birth of the Virgin Mary. From 30th August throughout these days, solemn masses are celebrated at midday, followed by a magnificent procession, a longstanding tradition.
During this procession, the banner, the standard, the parish cross, and an impressive assembly of images of saints accompany the Virgin, all harmonized by the rhythmic tunes of bagpipers throughout the novena, while a brass band adds solemnity to the events of 7th and 8th September.
In the afternoon, the sung rosary continues to be celebrated, starting from the Chapel of San José de Penelas and concluding in the shrine of Our Lady of Aguasantas with a liturgical ceremony. For some decades now, an emotional evening gathering of the images of saints from various neighboring parishes has also taken place in this chapel, followed by a mass [see images below].
The significance of this tradition is such that even in 1926, when a fire reduced the image of Our Lady to ashes, the pilgrimage continued unwaveringly. The residents of Aguasantas brought the Virgin of the Angels, located in El Peso, as a temporary replacement for the original image of Our Lady that had been lost in the flames. In this way, the time-honored novena tradition endured, handed down from one generation to the next.
To underscore the significance of this festivity, Saturnino Cuíñas, a prominent scholar of Galician folklore, mentioned in an interview with the newspaper "La Noche" of Santiago de Compostela in June 1959 that among all compositions, his favorite was the "Foliada de Aguasantas." He noted, "If I have to choose one, my favourite would be the foliada de 'A Virxen d'as Augas Santas' from Cotovad (Pontevedra) which says 'Miña virxen d'auga santa t'es a cuchara n'a fonte para bebe los romeiros que ven a verte d'e lonxe.' It is necessary to take into account that the pilgrimage of Aguasantas is one of the most typical Galician flavors."
To learn more about this foliada and other songs typical of this shrine click on the following button:
